As the holidays are approaching I thought I would develop and publish a list of minmalist holiday tips. When the holidays are approaching, keep in mind additional ways you can cut down on waste and excess materialism.
- Don't buy everyone a gift. Gifts usually have packaging, and packaging eguals an increase in trash. Make a list of people who you will buy a gift for. What about everyone else? Send them a card. Giving a gift is not the "reason for the season". Holidays have a deeper meaning than that.
- Consider baked goods. I had a friend who took great care to make candies and chocolates. She gave each candy emaculate decorations. Most of her gift was consumable, and had very little trash left over. Another idea would be baking cookies and brownies. For a bachelor or child, these treats can be very tasty.
- Don't get caught up in consumerism. If you do buy gifts, have a list of what you want to buy before you enter the store. Stores are set up for you to come in and buy on a whim.
- Buy Durable Items. Buy items that are going to last. This is the most expensive option, but if you feel compelled to spend money then it is for you. Electronics last a long time, and so do video games. These are items that are usually used for a while, given to others, sold or traded. These aren't items we usually throw away. Non-Durable items are usually toys. Most toys usually break easily, your kid outgrows them, and can be wasteful.
